An analysis of translation of idiomatic expressions in dan brown’s the da vinci code

Oleh :
Dyah Raina Purwaningsih - - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

This research focused on the analysis of translation of English idiomatic expressions in a novel entitled The Da Vinci Code, which was written by Dan Brown. The objectives of this study are: a) To find out the characteristics of idioms in the novel, b) To describe strategies used by the translator in translating the idiomatic expressions in the novel, and c) To know whether the translation of idiomatic expressions in the novel is accurate or not. This research belongs to descriptive study and employs qualitative method. To collect the data, total sampling technique was applied and there were 176 data that were obtained. The research was conducted by using primary and secondary data. The primary data consisted of 176 data taken from the novel and its translation. The secondary data were taken by distributing questionnaire to the raters. The raters were chosen by using purposive sampling technique, which is employing criterion-based selection sampling technique. The results of the data analysis show that there are four characteristics of idiomatic expressions found in the novel. They are: a) Phrasal verb+ particle (s) (72 data or 40.9%), b) Phrase (48 data or 27.3%), c) Semi-clause (38 data or 21.6%), d) sentence or clause (18 data or 10.2%). Related to the strategy, there are five strategies used by the translator. They are: a) Using an idiom of similar meaning and form (4 data or 2.3%), b) Using an idiom of similar meaning but dissimilar form (2 data or 1.1%), c) Translation by paraphrase (163 data or 92.6%), d) Translation by omission (5 data or 2.8%), e) Not translated (2 data or 1.1%). Dealing with translation accuracy, data that belong to scale 1 or very accurate translations covered 152 data or 86.4%, data that belong to scale 2 or accurate translations covered 18 data or 10.2%, data that belong to scale 3 or not so accurate translations covered six data or 3.4%, and there was no datum that belongs to scale 4 or inaccurate translation. From the scores given by the raters, it can be concluded that the average of scores is 1.2. It means that translation of idiomatic expressions in The Da Vinci Code novel is close to very accurate translation It is recommended that a translator must pay much attention to the translation project. To other researchers, it is recommended that the researchers should improve their knowledge in exploring the analysis of idiomatic expressions translation. This research is expected to be useful and become additional knowledge for other researchers, lecturers, and students of English Department, especially students of translation study.